Gamma-Ray Production Cross Sections in Multiple Channels for Neutron-Induced Reaction on 48Ti for En = 1 to 200 MeV

Theoretical assessment and targeted modeling of TiO2 in reactor towards the scandium radioisotopes estimation

⁴⁷Sc radioisotope with beta particle emission can be used for targeted radionuclide therapy in nuclear medicine and can be produced by nuclear reactor (with high activities) and accelerator. In this work, the specific activity of ⁴⁷Sc with the isotopic impurities produced through irradiating the enriched ⁴⁷Tio₂ and natural TiO₂ targets have been calculated by the MCNPX-2.6 and the TALYS-1.8 codes and also theoretical approach in a fast neutron flux 3×10¹³ncm^-2s^-1 in the reactor. In addition, the cross sections of ⁴⁶Ti(n,p)⁴⁶Sc reaction have been interpolated in the 1-10MeV energy range and compared with the corresponding experimental data, as well. Moreover, the average cross sections of ⁴⁶Ti(n,p)⁴⁶Sc, ⁴⁷Ti(n,p)⁴⁷Sc and ⁴⁸Ti(n,p)⁴⁸Sc reactions were reproduced. Acceptable agreement between the experimental data and calculated results confirms the ability of the used methods to design and predict the production process in reactor.

The thermal release of scandium from titanium metal – a simple way to produce pure 44Sc for PET application

The radionuclide-generator based access to radiopharmaceutical isotopes represents a valuable alternative to directly produced isotopes at particle accelerators or nuclear reactors. The 44Ti based generator is of increasing interest for the delivery of PET-radiopharmaceutical isotopes used for imaging. The product of this generator 44Sc represents with its 3.97 h half-life and 94.3% positron branching [1] a very promising candidate for labeling PET radiopharmaceuticals. The long half-life of 58.9±0.3 y [2] of the 44Ti assures a constant and long lasting production of the daughter nuclide.

Here we present a gas phase separation method of scandium from titanium via thermal release in vacuum. Titanium foils were irradiated with 40Ar to produce scandium in multi-nucleon transfer reactions. Another production reaction used was the irradiation of titanium by neutrons from the SINQ neutron source at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI).

The titanium metal foils containing 44mSc and 46Sc were heated up for time periods of 15 and 60 min to temperatures between 900 °C and 1500 °C in vacuum. Thus, release properties of scandium from titanium under these conditions were studied. The released scandium was collected on tantalum foils and could be rinsed of with concentrated nitric acid resulting in carrier free scandium nitrate solutions. From the experimental results optimum release conditions are suggested.